1.
half in doubt; skeptical; not fully convinced
A state of being partly convinced and partly doubtful about something. Used when someone cannot fully believe or disbelieve what they have heard or experienced.
半信半疑で聞いた。
I listened with some skepticism.
その話を半信半疑で受け止めた。
I took the story with a grain of salt.
最初は半信半疑だったが、実際に見て納得した。
At first I was skeptical, but after seeing it for myself, I was convinced.
A 四字熟語 (four-character idiom) describing a state of mixed belief and doubt. The word literally means 'half belief, half doubt' — the person wants to believe but cannot shake their uncertainty.
LITERAL MEANING:
半 (half) + 信 (belief) + 半 (half) + 疑 (doubt)
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 半信半疑で聞く: to listen with skepticism
- 半信半疑で受け止める: to take something with mixed feelings
- 半信半疑のまま: while still half in doubt
USAGE:
Often used adverbially with で to describe how someone receives information or takes action. Commonly appears when describing reactions to surprising news, unlikely stories, or unverified claims.